Condenser HVAC: Description and Operation

Fig.3 Condenser:

The condenser is integral to a cooling module which includes the radiator, the electric cooling fan, the fan shroud, air seals and an automatic transmission oil cooler on models so equipped. The cooling module is located in the air flow in the front of the engine compartment behind the front grille.

The condenser cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced. The cooling module must be removed from the vehicle in order to access the condenser for service.

The condenser is a heat exchanger that allows the high-pressure refrigerant gas being discharged by the compressor to give up its heat to the air passing over the condenser fins. When the refrigerant gas gives up its heat, it condenses. When the refrigerant leaves the condenser, it has become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

The volume of air flowing over the condenser fins is critical to the proper cooling performance of the air conditioning system. Therefore, it is important that there are no objects placed in front of the radiator grille openings in the front of the vehicle or foreign material on the condenser fins that might obstruct proper air flow. Also, any factory-installed air seals or shrouds must be properly reinstalled following radiator or condenser service.